Bail refused for 25yo car-jacker

AN ALLEGED car-jacker who led police on a high-speed chase has been refused bail in an Armidale court.

AN ALLEGED car-jacker who led police on a high-speed chase has been refused bail in an Armidale court.

Garry Fields made no application for release during a brief appearance in Armidale Local Court last week.

The 25-year-old was arrested on June 13 after a string of alleged incidents between Tamworth and Armidale.

Police allege Fields tried to hijack a car from the Caltex Service Station on Marius St in Tamworth but was unsuccessful.

He’s then accused of carjacking a car and forcing a woman out of the Kia Sportage in the City Plaza car park about 1.30pm.

Fields then allegedly set off at high speed along Marius St while police trawled the area in search of him.

Highway patrol officers said they spotted the stolen Kia Sportage on the New England Highway near Uralla but deployed road spikes when the vehicle failed to stop.

A pursuit was initiated and more highway officers were called in to back up police.

New England police established a road block near Armidale before the pursuit came to an end after the vehicle’s tyres disintegrated about a kilometre south of Armidale Airport.

Police allege at the time of the pursuit Fields was travelling at more than 120km per hour in a 50 zone.

Fields is facing five charges including assault with intent to take and drive motor vehicle, aggravated assault with intent to take and drive vehicle armed with a weapon, drive recklessly or furiously, drive whilst disqualified and police pursuit.

The case has been referred to the DPP for consideration.

Magistrate Karen Stafford has adjourned the matter to July with Fields remanded in custody.